Lord Carnarvon, on Tuesday, explained our present relations with Dahomey.
Mr. Turnbull, an English merchant at Whydah, the port of Dahomey, had complained of the seizure of some goods, and had been seized, stripped, and subjected to indignities. The " Caboceers " of Whydah refused redress, and treated the Commodore's representations with contumely. Sir W. Hewett had therefore fined the King about /6,000, and on the King returning a contemptuous refusal to pay, he announced a strict blockade of the coast from 1st July. This measure had been adopted in 1852, in 1859, and in 1863, "with admirable effects,"—which, however, would seem to be rather transitory. Lord Kimberley and Lord Cardwell entirely agreed in Lord Carnarvon's policy, and the Duke of Somerset trusted that firmness would be displayed. In the interests of Great Britain, we trust the fine will be paid, and in the interests of the world, that it will not. It is time the organisation of murder called the "kingdom" of Dahomey should be blotted out. There is no necessity to go to Abomey. Let us take Whydah, and leave it to the savage to recover it.
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